I have a new favorite stage to shoot- the Birch North Park Theatre! I've shot a couple sound checks for jazz bands recently, but this was the first time where the splendid lights were shining in their full glory. The bands were great too. Grab a drink, this is going to be a long one.

As always, click on a photo to go to the full gallery for that band.

Apes of Wrath kicked off the night right on time at 7:30pm, much to the surprise of the crowd that was still filling in during their set.  It did give complete access to the photo pit, which was a short-lived luxury, unfortunately.



They just came off their west coast tour with Hotel St. George, so their songs were tight. After playing so many shows at dive bars, they looked a bit overwhelmed by the size of the stage for the first couple songs.





I thought Dustin would keep his shirt on for the whole set since this was a "respectable" venue. I was wrong.





They played a great warm-up set for the night. From then on, it would be a crazy show.

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The last time I saw The Silent Comedy, they played an intimate show at Luce Loft. I've heard that their stage shows can get pretty raucous, and it looked like they bumped up the energy even more on this big stage. By now, the photo pit filled up with fans, so I was stuck in one spot for most of the rest of the show, front and center.





I think it was Natalie who told me that Joshua Zimmerman's knees are shot, probably from moves like that.







I do believe this guitarist is new, since I don't remember seeing him last time.





I ended up with more keepers from this set, just because of the three ring circus of wonders that they put on. Such fantastic performers!











You might think their bran of Prohibition-era songs would sound old-timey and dated, but it's not at all. The songs grab you like that fourth shot of bathtub gin until you've lost control. No wonder they sell out most of their shows.



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My favorite shots came from my favorite band of the night, Transfer . Funny how that happens.





Matt Molarius isn't an incredibly distinctive singer, but his lyrics are simply and evocative, something that can only come from a talented songwriter.





Shaun Cornell alternated bass and keyboard duties.







I got into Transfer completely backwards from everyone else. I was a Boyscout fan first and shot Card numerous times with them, and then I started paying attention to Transfer. I only got my first CD from him after this show, and wow, I can't believe I wasted all this time not listening to them. Future Selves is some really great stuff! I need to get the rest soon.



Their new drummer, Andy Ridley, didn't miss a beat.



Besides the horn section, they had the same violinist, MartaZaludova, as Silent Comedy did for their set. She is a photographer as well as a multi-instrumentalist.



She made a great subject. Chops, confidence, and great legs make a very nice combination.



I could have ended the show here and been happy.



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Dirty Sweet closed out the night.



I'm not a huge fan of their style of '70s rock, but the girls sure do like them. They crowded the front, and when I left my front of stage spot, a couple cougars muscled their way through me to my spot. I think that the free love movement is alive and well in these guys' trailer on tour.









I really hope to see more rock shows here- it's an incredible experience! Thanks to Tim Mays and Rosey Bystrak for getting me in and making this shoot possible.